Monday, August 20, 2007

Bada Bing on eBay

LODI, N.J. — Scantily clad women have spent nearly 10,000 hours wrapping themselves around two stripper poles made famous in "The Sopranos" as fixtures at the "Bada Bing"But now that the HBO mafia drama is over, the owners of the real-life club, Satin Dolls, say they will auction off the 12-foot stripper poles and other "Sopranos" relics on eBay later this week.

Of the items — which include a pool table, a disco ball, and the fluorescent purple men's room sign often seen in the background as fictional mob boss Tony Soprano conducts business — possibly the most recognizable are the pair of brass-colored poles on the dance floor.Susie Quigley, who runs special events at the 19-year-old north Jersey club, which can be renovated now that the series has concluded, wouldn't guess how much the polls could fetch from "Sopranos" fans.

"It seems to me the show the show has a cult following," said Quigley, a former dancer who appeared as an extra last season during an episode filmed at the Borgata hotel and casino in Atlantic City. "The poles have been featured in almost every single episode. I can't begin to say."

Also up for sale: at least 10 standard-issue bar stools that James Gandolfini, who played Tony Soprano, and his crew sat on in the show. An L-shaped slab of the bar where they watched dancers and drank also will be auctioned.

The club will remain open for business during its renovation, expected to last three or four months.

Quigley said once the final episode aired in June, club owners were released from their contract with the show and were allowed to pursue renovations of the 8,000-foot building. The renovation will make the club more upscale and include areas for private parties and other intimate encounters, she said.

The club sells "Sopranos" souvenirs, including T-shirts, hats and coffee mugs. It is a popular stop on bus tours of "Sopranos" sites in New Jersey.

The Emmy-winning HBO show explored the life of the fictional Jersey mob boss and his family, and scores of scenes have been shot across the Garden State since it debuted in 1999.

Just after the episode aired, the diner where Tony sat with his family in the controversial series finale — Holsten's, really an ice cream parlor in Bloomfield — saw a boom in business.

Satin Dolls isn't the only New Jersey business trying to cash in on the fame of "The Sopranos."

The developer who owns the building that fronted for Satriale's pork store in Kearny — one of Tony Soprano & Co.'s favorite hangouts — plans to sell bricks from the facade as he demolishes it.

Manny Costeira is constructing nine condo units in place of Satriale's, calling the project "The Soprano." Prices will range from $325,000 to $385,000.

He said he doesn't know how much he can get for the 8-inch by 8-inch souvenirs, but suggested $100 apiece.

"I'm a big fan of the show, but I don't know if I'd run to by a stone off the pork store," he said.